Potawatomi Wildlife Park shall be a place where
the natural, historical, and cultural features of the area are conserved,
protected, and restored for use and enjoyment by present and future generations.

Mission Statement

The mission of Potawatomi Wildlife Park is to:

Maintain a place for low-impact recreation
where the public can enjoy the solitude of nature,
commune with wildlife, and gain an understanding of local history.

Provide educational programs and opportunities
for all people.

Provide a community and regional gathering
place.

Establishment of the Park

Potawatomi Wildlife Park is owned and managed
by Potawatomi Park, Inc., a not-for-profit private foundation. This Private
foundation is an outgrowth of the proceeds from the estate of Vernon Romine.

Mr. Romine envisioned a park conveyed exclusivly
for charitable, educational and recreational purposes. The park was to be
for the use and benefit of the public and especially for the use and benefit
of the poor, underprivileged, physically handicapped and mentally handicapped.

Having grown from its orignal established size
of 151 acres, Potawatomi Wildlife Park is now a 317-acre complex that consists
of fields, woodlands, ponds, and wetlands and is bordered by the Tippecanoe
River.

the Park is located on State Road 331 in Marshall
County, Indiana. Potawatomi Wildlife Park is managed as a natural sanctuary
for plants and animals of northern Indiana and provides educational activities
for schools in the area, as well as a site for recreational activities, such
as hiking or bird watching.

FIGURE 1. Park basic trail map

Historical Significance

Potawatomi Wildlife Park preserves both a prehistorical
and historical site of significance to the regions past. The Park preserves
both prehistorical and historical indian encampments, the Stephen Bennack
Potawatomi village, a portion of the Goshen-Logansport trail, and the Tippecanoe
River ford where several early indian trails crossed the river.

Logo and Name Source

FIGURE 2. Potawatomi Park Logo

The Name "Potawatomi" and the present
Potawatomi Park fire logo (Figure 1.) is utilized with written permission
obtained from the Citizen Band Potawatomi Indian Tribe (Shawnee, OK) during
the parks formation. The fire is a well known symbol of the Potawatomi Indian
Nation known as "Keepers of the fire" or "People of the Place
of the Fire".

To the park, the fire symbol represents the
historical significance of the Stephen Bennack Village site that Potawatomi
Wildlife Park preserves.

Many sources refer to Stephen Bennack as "Chief".
Others refer Bennack as a "headman" which is the head or "leader"
of a tribe or clan. The Potawatomi term is "Wkama" which they translate
more generally as "leader."

The Bennack village is one of only a few "post-removal
villages" that existed and it therefore holds an important key to the
lifestyle of those who remained here after the removal period.

Members of the Bennack Village eventually dispersed.
Some traveled west to the join the Citizen (Mission) and Prairie Bands in
Kansas and Oklahoma, while others remained in Indiana and assimilated among
the American settlers. Stephen Bennack is buried @ Notre Dame Cemetary along with his family.
.

Location

FIGURE 3. Location map

Coming from the north, the Park entrance is located approximately
1/2 mile south of State Road 10 directly across from 17th Road. Coming from
the south, the entrance is approximately 1/2 mile north of the Tippecanoe Bridge
on State Road 331.

The Park is open daily from sunrise to sunset for you to walk
the trails and observe or study wildlife. If you wish to arrange a guided tour
for your group, you may write us at:

Group visits to the park are by appointment only. Arrangements
can be made by calling first.

All park facilities are available by reservation only.
Call to reserve.

No visitors shall proceed past the reception area without
signing the visitor registration.

Stay on trails.

No vehicles are allowed past the reception area.

Do not pick, damage, or injure any structure, tree, flower,
plant, bird or wild animal within the park.

Leaf collecting for educational purposes is allowed.

All firearms, archery equipment, or other weapons must
be unloaded and locked in a vehicle while visiting the park.

Dogs must remain on leash. No other pets allowed.

Drinking water should only be taken from hydrants and
fountains for that purpose.

Smoking is allowed in the reception area only. No smoking
on trails.

Put all trash and litter in its proper place.

No mushroom hunting is allowed in the park.

No arrowhead or other artifact hunting is allowed in
the park.

No fishing or camping is allowed on park property except
for those organized youth groups granted permission.

No rehabilitated animals may be released without first contacting
the management for permission.

FEES

There is no charge to visit the park for individuals. However,
your contributions help us meet operating expenses and are greatly appreciated.
They also qualify as tax deductible charitable contributions. Some special activities
or facilities will require a small fee. Call or write for specific information.